Mission

The mission of the Office for Religious is to assist the archbishop in his ministry to religious and other consecrated persons who live and serve in the Archdiocese of Chicago. The office provides pastoral services to them as well, being a vehicle for communication and administrative support. We work to connect the diversity of charisms of consecrated life with the needs of the archdiocese. The office also actively promotes a culture of vocations in the archdiocese through the coordinator of religious vocation ministries and the activities of the Chicago Area Vocation Association (CAVA).
 
The Office for Religious:

• Sponsors annual events for religious and others with the Archbishop of Chicago,

• Assists in discernment for vocations to consecrated life (religious, Consecrated Virgins and other forms),

• Manages agreements for religious institutes of men and women serving in parishes and schools,

• Works with the Office for Externs and International Priests to assist religious priests with meeting compliance requirements for faculties,

• Serves as a vehicle for gathering and disseminating pertinent information that respects the diversity within the archdiocese,

• Publishes updates on current activities and offerings,

• Directs inquiries to appropriate resources,

• Networks with archdiocesan agencies and outside organizations on vocation ministry, ongoing formation and the current realities of religious life,

• Initiates sponsorship of requests for religious worker visas for men and women religious serving in archdiocesan parishes and schools, and

• Collaborates with the Office of Legal Services on immigration issues.